So now there's a rumor running around that if FIFA and Conmebol don't find a way to get South American WCQ started this year, they'll give up on the league format and go with groups (likely 2 groups of 5) to cut down the number of fixtures. Which would bite - for Peru, that would likely mean no WCQ with Chile unless we both ended up in the 5th place playoff (as Conmebol teams 5 & 6 in the FIFA rankings, they would likely be in the same pot). And just imagine if Brazil and Argentina ended up in the same group
A conversation between two of the greatest GK's: Club América's @yosoy8a 🇲🇽 and @FCBayern's @Manuel_Neuer 🇩🇪🧤 | Head to head, face to face, world class!🗓️ | July 30, 2020📺 | @TUDNMEX with @MoyMu23 as the host#SOMOSAMÉRICA #SiempreÁguilas pic.twitter.com/xz9mGX0qYs— Club América EN (@ClubAmerica_EN) July 27, 2020
Nuevo Formato para la Clasificatoria de Concacaf a la @FIFAWorldCup Catar 2022Detalles 👉 https://t.co/3X0tu9MFnF#LoveForOurGame pic.twitter.com/ixOYHkKm0w— Concacaf (@Concacaf) July 27, 2020
I know the pandemic led to this but will CONCACAF ever come up with a decent format. The one before all this was a horrible idea even though I know it benefited El Salvador.
8 @Concacaf nations to compete in the 2026 @FIFAWorldCup . The 3 host nations (USA, MEX, CAN) plus 5 more.— Rob Stone (@RobStoneONFOX) July 28, 2020 That’s crazy
And completely wrong. Rob Stone was going off of what Montagliani said at halftime of the first MLS game tonight... Goodbye, Hexagonal. Hello, Octagonal. 👋@Concacaf President @VicMontagliani tells @RobStoneONFOX and @AlexiLalas what went into the decision to revise the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying format. pic.twitter.com/SDiuaKPGmm— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 28, 2020 And what Montagliani actually said contextualizes 8 Concacaf teams as a goal for 2026, i.e. preparing the teams well so that Concacaf can get more in through the intercontinental playoff tournament. At no point did he state that it was a fait accompli.
You've got no choice - 2026 will be the first one with 48 teams, and we're more likely to see the World Cup eventually expand to 64 in our lifetimes than to ever see it contract.